Home Office Calls for Licence Revocation After Raid on Portsmouth Restaurant
Immigration Crackdown Hits Noble House
The Home Office has fired a warning shot at Portsmouth City Council, demanding tough action against Albert Choi, owner of the Noble House on Osborne Road. Following a recent raid, officials have urged the council to launch a formal review of the restaurant’s licence, insisting it should be revoked rather than merely suspended or slapped with extra conditions.
Three Arrested; Choi ‘Rages’ During Immigration Raid
The latest swoop saw three people arrested for employing illegal workers — adding to three arrests in two raids back in 2012. According to Home Office reports, Choi flew into a furious rage when immigration officers showed up on a Saturday night.
“He attempted to block one of the officers as he made his way to the kitchen and he followed me and my colleagues through the busy restaurant, shouting and haranguing us,” an officer recounted. Choi made threats about how much trouble I was going to be in, claiming he had powerful friends at Portsmouth City Council and that his lawyer would take me to court.
Illegal Workers Found Living Above Restaurant
Officials discovered three kitchen staff living in a flat above the restaurant who were not permitted to work in the UK. The Home Office slammed the owner, saying it was “either negligence or wilful blindness” to employ illegal workers when checking documents is a straightforward process.
Choi has since been slapped with a civil penalty notice, but Home Office Immigration Enforcement insists only revoking the licence will send a message to him and other licence holders that illegal labour will not be tolerated.
Licence Review Set for Council Hearing
The licensing sub-committee at Portsmouth City Council is expected to hold the review hearing later this month. The Home Office is pushing hard for Choi to get the chop and for strict measures to be implemented to prevent more dodgy dealings at the Noble House.
